Original art by Chetna of @mosaiceye and www.mosaiceyeunfolding.com.
ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE FUND
We are living through a moment that calls for deep solidarity, interdependence, and radical generosity, a moment that requires us to claim our power to make the world we know is possible. This is why Chinook Fund and Transformative Leadership for Change (TLC) partnered to launch the Another World is Possible Fund.
In the second year of the Fund, we are accepting grants under the theme of Right Relationship. We invite eligible organizations to apply for general support grants to support your work to be in right relationship. Click the “Apply” button below to learn more.
Another World is Possible Fund
We are living through a moment that calls for deep solidarity, interdependence, and radical generosity, a moment that requires us to claim our power to make the world we know is possible. This is why Chinook Fund and Transformative Leadership for Change (TLC) partnered to launch the Another World is Possible Fund.
As the pandemic crisis continues, very different visions of our world are unfolding. In one scenario, we see increased authoritarianism, corporate control, competition over resources, and the decimation of vulnerable communities. In another scenario, we see the emergence of an inclusive democracy, a regenerative economy, increased interdependence, and the opportunity for all communities to thrive.
The Fund prioritizes funding groups that have been historically under-resourced or excluded by mainstream philanthropy. This includes Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) led organizations and those using community organizing as a primary strategy. The goals of the Fund are to
(1) Raise $1M and redistribute as general operating grants for COVID relief, rapid response organizing, organizational sustainability, and resilience;
(2) Provide increased funding for BIPOC-led organizations and constituent-led groups organizing for systemic change; and
(3) Organize other foundations to invest in this fund and increase support to BIPOC-led organizations in Colorado.
WHY TLC & CHINOOK
Chinook Fund has a 34-year legacy of seeding grassroots movements across the state through community-led grantmaking. Transformative Leadership for Change is a new initiative that supports the healing, transformation, solidarity, and radical visions of people of color leading social justice organizations.
We are two complementary capacity-building organizations in the Colorado progressive ecosystem, partnering together in the spirit of abundance, interdependence, and mutual aid to raise resources for those who are forging the path to the world we believe is possible.
Together, we have a shared network of innovative, power-building grassroots organizations that are eligible for these funds. This includes recent Chinook grantees and TLC-affiliated organizations such as 9to5 Colorado, Colorado People’s Alliance, Front Line Farming, Hispanic Affairs Project, Padres y Jóvenes Unidos, and Pine River Shares.
We strongly believe that the resources invested into this pool of organizations will have the greatest return for a just COVID response in the short-term and a new vision for our world in the long-term.
Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization
WHY TLC & CHINOOK
Chinook Fund has a 34-year legacy of seeding grassroots movements across the state through community-led grantmaking. Transformative Leadership for Change is a new initiative that supports the healing, transformation, solidarity, and radical visions of people of color leading social justice organizations.
We are two complementary capacity-building organizations in the Colorado progressive ecosystem, partnering together in the spirit of abundance, interdependence, and mutual aid to raise resources for those who are forging the path to the world we believe is possible.
Together, we have a shared network of about 75 organizations that are eligible for these funds. This includes recent Chinook grantees and TLC-affiliated organizations such as 9to5 Colorado, Colorado People’s Alliance, Front Line Farming, Hispanic Affairs Project, Padres y Jóvenes Unidos, and Pine River Shares.
We strongly believe that the resources invested into this pool of organizations will have the greatest return for a just COVID response in the short-term and a new vision for our world in the long-term.
Original art by Chetna of @mosaiceye and www.mosaiceyeunfolding.com.
In the first year of our Another World is Possible Fund, we distributed $354,000 to 59 incredible groups throughout Colorado. These grants supported organizations as they entered a new terrain, navigating the pandemic and an uncertain future.
In 2021, we distributed $268,000 in grants to 67 groups to fund ALL the ways we build resilience across our social justice ecosystem, including rest, joy, celebration, collaboration, solidarity, restorative & transformative justice, community care, storytelling/reclaiming narratives, healing, grieving, visioning – and more. View our grantee stories here.
Chinook Fund seeded the fund in the Spring of 2020 with $75,000 from its cash reserves. We have since raised nearly $700,000 and distributed rapid response grants to 126 grassroots organizations across Colorado. This includes an investment of $250,000 by the Colorado Health Foundation and $90,000 from AJL Foundation. Of the groups funded, 86 percent are BIPOC-led, 33 percent are Black-led, and 72 percent operate on budgets under $350,000.
Additional funding has been provided by the following foundations: Campbell Foundation Fund, Congdon Family Fund, Colorado Trust Anti-Black Systemic Racism Fund ($15,000), Colorado Trust Staff-Directed Contributions Program, Community First Foundation ($50,000) Denver Foundation Leadership & Equity ($27,000), Emergent Fund ($10,000), Gates Family Foundation ($20,000), Gwirtsman-Reichman Family Fund, Hatfield Family Foundation, LP Brown Family Foundation, United Philanthropy Momentum Fund ($65,000), and Voqal Fund ($5,000).
In 2021, grantees were awarded $4,000, with eligible organizations able to receive up to one grant in 2021. Grantees in 2020 received $6,000 each.
We have an unprecedented window of opportunity to make changes that were considered impossible.
For More Information Contact
Crystal Middlestadt, Executive Director, Chinook Fund: cmiddlestadt@chinookfund.org
Neha Mahajan, Executive Director, TLC: neha@transformativeleadershipforchange.org